EXECUTIVE BRANCHDEPARTMENTS, CABINET,

AGENCIES, AND COMMISSIONS

CivicsMr. Zimmer

The Executive Departments and the Cabinet The President is assisted

by an office staff and 15 cabinet departments

Each department has specific duties

Experts help each department develop policy and plans for the government

The State Department and the Department of Defense are the two most important Cabinets

State Department Ambassadors are the

highest ranking U.S. Representatives in foreign countries

An embassy building houses the offices and living quarters for our foreign diplomats

A consulate represents the U.S. business interests in a foreign country

Department of Defense The Secretary of

Defense is always a civilian

The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of the highest ranking military officers from each branch of the military

The Pentagon houses the offices of the Department of Defense

Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions

There are 65 independent agencies and regulatory commissions in the federal government

These include the Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Protection Agency, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The are independent and their rulings have the effect of law.